Product Description

Are you mired in past regrets or trapped by future fears? Wiersbe reminds you that God wants to meet you in the present! From God's conversation with Moses to Jesus' claim to be the light of the world, Wiersbe explores the "I AM" statements in Scripture to help you encounter God in the here and now.

Publisher's Description

In Jesus in the Present Tense, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe explores the "I AM" statements of Godfrom His burning bush conversation with Moses, to His powerful reassurances to the Israelites, to Jesuss startling claim to be the Light of the World.

Many Christians find themselves mired in past regrets or future fears, but the name of God itself reminds readers that God wants them to live in the present. The more readers understand and apply Gods I AM statements from the Old and New Testaments, the more they will realize Gods peace and joy. Then they will be free to live, serve, and know God more richly in the present tensewhich is just where He wants them to be.

Author Bio

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher and the former pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago. Dr. Wiersbe has written more than 160 books, including the popular Be series of Bible commentaries, which has sold more than four million copies. He and his wife live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Wiersbe meditates on the "I Am" statements of Jesus. "[Jesus] is alive this very moment and offers us a satisfying spiritual life in the present tense." (11) Our past may discourage us and the future may frighten us, but life in the present can be enriching and encouraging because Christ lives in us. (Gal. 2:20)

God revealed Himself to Moses as "I Am." "The name conveys the concept of absolute being." (20) Jesus made the same kind of statements. "In His I AM statements, Jesus not only tells us who He is, but He also tells us what He can do for us and what we can become through Him." (25)

To the spiritually hungry, He is the Bread. To those in spiritual darkness, He is the Light. To those seeking entrance into the security of life in God's flock, He is the Door. He is the protecting and leading Shepherd. For those desiring to bear fruit, He is the Vine inviting us into union with Him. Readers are encouraged to trust in the I AM to be our sustenance when spiritually hungry and our light when in spiritual darkness.

Wiersbe draws on his decades of experience as a pastor and teacher to encourage readers to live in the present tense. "When we live in the present tense, we live by faith and are able to welcome each day from God's hand, knowing that He always plans the best for us." (178) Expect each new day to be an adventure in faith. Abide in Jesus, the I AM.

The only aspect of the book I did not like was Wiersbe's speculation that Jesus quoted all of Psalm 22 (while on the cross), "even though His voice was unheard by the spectators." (153) Nonetheless, this is a good book for devotional reading.

I received a copy of this book from The B & B Media Group, Inc., on behalf of the publisher, David C. Cook, for the purpose of this review.

A statement is made in the beginning of the book, "knowing God is the most important thing in life!"

I wonder how many of us can answer honestly that God is the most important thing in life?

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life."

The only way to salvation is through Jesus, in Jesus we are given eternal life. But, in Jesus we also have life, a more abundant life!

Warren Wiersbe explores this I AM statement as well as the others in his new book. His goal is that through understanding the I AM statements we as believers in Christ Jesus will live in the moment of now, and not in the past---the past of failures and troubles, nor in the future of anxiety and uncertainty. But, that we will live for the day that we've been given in order to serve Jesus to the full extent, and most importantly so that we will be a tool that Jesus can use today for His glory.

A favorite quote:

"Christianity is not a creed, an organization, or a religious system. It is the life of God in humans, making us more like Jesus Christ."

I felt that this was a great book on the I AM statements and I enjoyed reading it.

I feel that Dr. Wiersbe made his points adequately.

He had personal observations from his own life he shared, good applications.

He defined a few words for the reader from the Greek definition.

A few times he reminded me a little of J. Vernon McGee in his tone---nothing wrong with this, it just reminded me a little of McGee.

God is in the Present. Are You? In Jesus in the Present Tense, Warren W. Wiersbe intimately and extensively expounds on all the I AM statements made by Jesus. I AM is a present-tense title, indicating that Jesus is alive and with us at all times.

The Great I AM statements include: 1) The Bread of Life, 2) The Light of the World, 3) The Door, 4) The Good Shepherd, 5) The Resurrection and the Life, 6) The Way, the Truth, and the Life, 7) The True Vine, and The great I AM in John 8:58.

The Bread of Life encompasses compassion. The Light of the World touches on being in the light or in darkness spiritually; life or death. The Door has numerous analogies that reach into our inner being. The Door is not just a means of getting from place to another, although that is an important issue. The Good Shepherd is about intimacy, being cared for, and being part of the flock. The Resurrection and the Life is about eternity, being a new creation, and a living hope. The Way, the Truth and the Life is about where we walk, Who we trust, and eternal life. The True Vine incorporates fruit bearing, abiding, and obedience and the source of power to help us in each of these areas.

Warren's discourse is thorough and encompasses areas that one may not always associate with the I AM titles. They will touch you and convict you. They can give you peace and a sense of belonging. They are truth, something you cannot pick and choose from.

Warren describes the settings for each I AM statement made by Jesus for context, to help us incorporate these great truths into our lives. He uses examples about the earth that we can easily identify with to help explain the meanings more in-depth.

The book is completed by exploring the process of living and serving in our everyday life according to the works God has ordained for us to do. I have only covered a very minute overlay of Warren's discussions. And minus a couple of doctrinal issues I do not agree with, this is a very well-written and researched book. It's great for Bible study group, Sunday school or personal use.

I highly encourage you to pick this book up and ponder on each statement slowly, as it's chuck full of spiritual truths. Based on reading Warren's book, I believe he has a close relationship with the great I AM. He extends that invitation to you in his book!

Special thanks to Karen Davis, Assistant Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.

I look forward to reading anything this author writes. I think he is one of my favorite bible teachers and commentators of this time. This book is about the I AM statements of Christ. It is absolutely powerful and compelling. If a person can read this and be totally unaffected I would wonder how. An experience with Christ demands a response - and this book brings the reader face to face with the great I AM! From the old testament all the way through the new Dr Wiersbe exposes these life-changing statements and exposes the foundational truths found in them. By doing so he enables the reader to become fully grounded in truth of Christ. This enables them to be consumed by this mighty God and to be changed, free to live and serve the way you were created to.